Net Neutrality Repeal Led 2017 Tech Policy, But 2018 Legislative and Legal Fights Loom

Here’s a rundown of promises kept, partially fulfilled and in need of action come 2018:

A promise fulfilled: President Donald Trump followed through on his stated information technology modernization goals by issuing an executive order on May 1 that created the American Technology Council.

An expectation unmet: Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced legislation to increase the transparency of online political advertisements by requiring digital ads to include disclosures about the person or group who purchased them. Though the proposal picked up a prominent Republican supporter in Sen John McCain (R-AZ), it has not made any progress through the Committee on Rules and Administration.

On tap for 2018: The FCC’s vote to repeal net neutrality rules has not ended the ongoing debate over the regulations, as Republican lawmakers look to codify net neutrality through legislation while Democrats pursue legal challenges to the agency’s ruling. House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced legislation that she says would prevent internet service providers from blocking and throttling online traffic.